The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1887-07-06
N. ]. EDIToRIAL EXCLUSION.
A Visit to Gettysburg. Luray and Natural
Bridge.

leys of Chester and Lancaster on to Har-
risburg, 105 miles. Here we halt few
minutes; our train is reversed; a fresh en-.
CINE brought in service, and in few
minutes more we are crossing the bridge
that spans the Susquehanna. Leaving
the valley of the same pane, we soon en-
ter the rich valley of the Cumberland,
with its rolling fields of golden harvest,
interspersed with dark green foliage,
huge barns of the Pennsylvania Dutch
and the Dunkards, with clumps of hills,
almost mountains, to the left and a gor-
geons mountain range with Sterrit's Gap
facing us to the right. The view from
our car windows was truly grand and all
along the line indicates plenty and wealth.
1t is easily imagined why the Confeder-
ates in 1868 made their Northern invasion
and took their course in this direction.
When their rations were well nigh ex-
hausted, Gen. Lee failing to receive his
needed supply, was told by the confeder-
ate president to go and find it and it was
in this valley for time he fully met his
wants. The raid was soon followed by
one of the greatest battles fought.
On nearing Carlisle our train is switch
ed off on branch r. r. that takes us al.
most to the gateway entering the Indian
School grounds. A portion of the old
buildings to be seen here, more particu-
larry the walls, were once used as bar
racks during the Revolutionary War, and
it is said was erected by the labor of the
Hessian prisoners captured at the battle
of Trenton, 1776. The original buildings
were almost totally destroyed by the rebel
troops in 1868. The guard house and
many Of the walls of the old buildings yet
remain as good specimens of Hessian
prisoners labor. The Government had
these old barracks rebuilt and transformed
into an Indian Training School. Young
Indians to the number of 531 are being
educated and taught the ideas Of civliza-
tion and how to live in peace F; educating
them in all of the useful trades and on the
very grounds, too, where their cruel and
savage ancestors once carried ON frightful
scenes of carnage. The school is said to
be government experiment, but should
not any longer in our opinion be SO con-
sidered. 1t has now become clear case,
grand step in the march of civilization.
Here they are to be seen in all stages and
of various ages, say from to IS years. On
their arrival from the wilds their mode of
attire and wild idiotic expression portrays
hideous picture. 1t is astonishing what
four months of training does for these un-
fortunate creatures. 1t gives them pic
ture of wonderful contrast. In passing
through their school rooms and various
working departments we meet with round
swarthy faces, mostly high cheek bones,
and yet many very pleasant countcnances
and happy expressions that have been
mellowed and softened down aud their
characters in most cases changed from a
nomadic life. We talked with much
pleasure to some of the more advanced in
education, though most of them are very
reluctant to talk TO strangers. One of
their number, apparently much older,
who seemed so very pleasing In his de-
meanor and christian-lilxe in his converse
ton led the writer to say to him, am
glad to have you with us. His reply was,
"This is the first remark of kind feeling
extended to us by pale face visitor. l
have always been made to feel as if we
were not wanted and the wild woods and
the plains of the west we're the place for
u.s. He gave to several OF us his we'll
written autograph. The writer said to
him Gone of your superintendents was
my teacher when boy" His reply was
that he owed his education to this same
person and seemed delighted at the coin
cidence. The lady referred to is Miss
Annie Ely, who received our party very
courteoasly with not little surprise and
expressed regrets at not knowing of our
coming.
Our time being up, we take to our
coaches and bear off from the main line
81 miles on our left to Gettysburg. A
short run and we are passing through the
northern extension of the South Noun
tain range, a tortuous gap at an elevation
of !, 900 feet Here we find much natural
scenery. This range in turn divides the
Susquehanna Valley from tho Cumber-
land. Sharp curves through deep cuts
and high trestle bridges at high rate of
speed adds excitement to the beautiful
scenery. 1t is on this run that we notice
at all II. Il. crossings the singular word
ing RAILROAD Crossing look, list
en-" The run mellows down to rolling
slope and soon Gettysburg comes into
view npon plain Of rolling hills and
ridges. We are now within mile and
passing over the first days battle field,
north west from the town. The firstwarn.
ing OF the historic field is a fine monu.
ment of the Massachusetts, Color Beal er, .
standing upon slope alongside of The
railroad. The monument stands like q
hundred or more Others as near as posi-
BILE the very spot where the brave fell at
the opening Of the first days fight We
enter the town, which is said to have
about 5000 population.
Gettysburg is quite old-fashioned, and
of very little pretension. Two of the most
prominent educational institutions of the
Lutheran Church are located here-the
Penna. College and the Lutheran Theolog-
ical Seminary. The town has grown very
little since the days of battle that gave II
such worldwide fame. Carriages are ia
waiting for us. Our destination is mile
to the west, directly over Seminary
Ridge, the field of the first days fight
and close by the spot where Gen. Rey
nolds fell and over Willoughby run, whose
swollen waters are said to have carried
the bodies OF the slain along its course al
drift wood. Thus the stream was tinged
III II r 4. r.